The effect of stocking density and a blind on the behavior of Holstein dairy cattle in group maternity pens. Part I: Calving location,locomotion, and separation behavior |
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Authors: | KC Creutzinger HM Dann PD Krawczel GG Habing KL Proudfoot |
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Affiliation: | 1. Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210;2. William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, NY 12921;3. Department of Agricultural Sciences/Animal Science, University of Helsinki, PO Box 28, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland;4. Department of Production Animal Medicine/Research Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Helsinki, PO Box 57, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland;5. Helsinki One Health, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland;6. Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 4P3, Canada |
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Abstract: | In a more natural setting, dairy cows separate from herdmates and seek a secluded area to give birth. However, on many dairy facilities, cows calve in barren group pens with limited space, which may limit their ability to perform these behaviors. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of stocking density and provision of a blind (a single-sided solid partition) in group bedded pack maternity pens on the behavior of dairy cattle. The study included 4 experimental treatments: (1) high stocking density (7.7–12.9 m2 of lying space/cow) with a blind, (2) low stocking density (15.4–25.8 m2) with a blind, (3) high stocking density without a blind, and (4) low stocking density without a blind. We analyzed the effect of these treatments on locomotor and separation behavior as well as blind use during the 24 h before calving. A total of 127 primiparous heifers and 247 multiparous cows were housed in 16 mixed-parity groups (4 groups per treatment) from approximately 3 wk before to immediately after calving. Locomotor behavior increased from 24 to 2 h before calving regardless of treatment but increased the most in high stocking density pens without a blind. Additionally, heifers performed more locomotion than cows. Animals increased their distance from other cows beginning approximately 4 h before calving. Animals in low stocking density pens had a greater distance from other cows compared with those in high stocking density pens. Additionally, heifers had a greater distance from penmates during the 4 h before calving than cows. More animals calved in the area of the pen that contained a blind compared with the same respective areas of high and low stocking density pens that did not contain a blind. These results suggest that periparturient dairy cattle in group maternity pens are motivated to seek seclusion at calving, but increased stocking density may impede their ability to do so. Providing additional space and a blind may benefit periparturient dairy cows and heifers by facilitating natural calving behaviors. |
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Keywords: | transition parturition maternal behavior housing |
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